Stars rally round comedy queen Joan

Comedian Joan Rivers is "resting comfortably" in hospital after a health scare, her daughter has said.

The 81-year-old star was rushed to the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York in a critical condition yesterday after undergoing what reports in the US claimed was a throat procedure at an outpatient unit in the city.

Melissa Rivers said: " I want to thank everyone for the overwhelming love and support for my mother. She is resting comfortably and is with our family.

"We ask that you continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers."

Stars have been sending their best wishes to the funnywoman on Twitter.

Heroes star Zachary Quinto tweeted: "sending so much love and healing energy to @Joan_Rivers !!! no one is ready to go on without you lady!!!"

Modern Family actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson wrote: "Sending all my love and prayers to my friend @Joan_Rivers right now."

Actress Marlee Matlin tweeted: "Get well @Joan_Rivers! And moon the doctors for us while you're recuperating!"

American TV host Billy Bush wrote on his Facebook page that Melissa Rivers had told him to "please pray".

He wrote: "Praying for Joan Rivers who is in critical condition at Mt Sinai hospital in NY. Texted with Melissa Rivers who said "please pray". Already doing that. Joan is beloved around here.

"A regular guest on Access Hollywood Live she never fails to deliver. She taped her post Emmy special Tuesday in LA and was strong. This is out of nowhere. Come on Joan you have to make it. Just think of all the material. Sending love and prayers."

Actress Kelly Ripa tweeted: "Praying for the great @Joan_Rivers one of the true loves of my life."

And Courtney Love Cobain told her 344,000 followers: "Hang in there @Joan_Rivers So many awful gowns are going to be worn this year as bait for you pull through. Love and prayers Court."

Yesterday, hospital spokesman Sid Dinsay said : "This morning, Joan Rivers was taken to the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, where she is being attended to.

"Her family wants to thank everybody for their outpouring of love and support."

And a spokesman for the New York Police Department said: "An 81 year old is in a critical condition at Mount Sinai Hospital."

He was unable to confirm reports on the TMZ website and CNN that Rivers' heart had stopped beating at one point.

US news sites reported that she was undergoing a throat procedure in a clinic when she became unwell, but the spokesman could not confirm this.

He said the emergency call was made at 9.39am local time from an address in East 93rd Street, Yorkville, where there is an outpatient centre which describes its mission as to "serve as a community resource for digestive disorders".

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